MTFCA Forum

Not strictly Model T, but related - My 1912 Flanders engine has an open valvetrain. How much and how often do the folks with Model Ts with open valvetrains lube their valve stems? Do you use the same oil as what's in the sump, or something thicker, like 600W? Thanks!

I have a 2 cylinder Queen with open valves that don’t benefit from any crank case oil. I spray them with an Amsoil product specifically for motorcycle chains. Amsoil Chain Lube. I use it on the car’s chain too. It doesn’t attract dirt or dust and lasts a long time.

Good question! If you think about the early fuels, the valve stems might have gotten their lubrication from the fuel, but with today's drier fuels, wouldn't something like an upper lube help? ( LOL no I am not going to say the brand!) The lifters on the Model T would get their lube the same way as normal, the hole was added to the closed valve chamber to let the oil drain back down. Doesn't the Queen have a flat engine, so may have different requirements for oiling the valve train.

Marvel Mystery oil in the gas tank will lube vale stems as well as/or a pint of engine oil in a full tank of gas.